Description

Originally published in 1995,this is a biography of William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98), which charts the political career and personal life of the only person who saw four terms as the British Prime Minister and who left behind a long and successful line of legislation. Roy Jenkins examines the manifold activities of Gladstone's life and uses it to relate the political rhythms, travel patterns and religious assumptions of Victorian England to the modern day.show more

Review Text

The first popular biography of this towering figure in politics and culture to make use of his intensely private diary, published in full in 14 volumes (Oxford University Press, 1968-94). Gladstone's role in politics was predominant in the second half of the 19th century - he was Prime Minister four times. Yet he also found time to read 20,000 books, begot eight children with his beloved wife, rescued a large landed estate, and played a leading role in the affairs of the Church of England. Lord Jenkins enjoys unravelling the surface complexities of Gladstone's personality, and revels in apt anecdotes: this is a most readable account of a titan. Winner of the 1995 Whitbread Biography Award. (Kirkus UK)show more

About Roy Jenkins

Roy Jenkins was the author of many books, including Churchill and Gladstone, which won the Whitbread Prize for Biography. Active in British politics for half a century, he entered the House of Commons in 1948 and subsequently served as Minister of Aviation, Home Secretary, and Chancellor of the Exchequer; he was also the President of the European Commission and Chancellor of Oxford University. In 1987 he took his seat in the House of Lords. He died in January 2003.show more